District Fire Chief Frank DiLiddo said the fire started in the fan and spread to the ceiling and walls of the kitchen. It was reported about 6:20 p.m., and initial calls indicated that people were still inside.

"When we arrived people were coming out," District Chief DiLiddo said.

While the fire was contained to one apartment, utilities to the building were shut down and the tenants were not allowed to return to their homes because of potential building code violations firefighters discovered.

"The building cannot be occupied," the district chief said, adding that the city building inspector and the Fire Department's Investigations Unit were being called in.